Martin Schieg’s research while affiliated with Technical University of Applied Sciences Augsburg and other places

Although there has been important research on construction management's life cycle, stakeholders, micro and macroenvironment, there has not been a model defined that can link the above. This while the need to integrate construction management's life cycle, stakeholders, micro and macroenvironment into both theory and practice is essential. The Model for integrated project management, described in this paper, consists of six stages. The purpose of this study is also to examine micro and macroenvironment impact on efficiency of project managers and project performance, based on the proposed Model. We conclude that the proposed Model offers a promising research toward improving construction management efficiency through giving construction managers method for enhancing a project's efficient micro and macroenvironment. First Publish Online: 09 Jun 2011

Risk management is used more and more in building industry projects. An essential element of the risk management process is the analysis and evaluation of risks. Therefore, project assessment with the help of the post‐mortem analysis plays an important role. The post‐mortem analysis is a tool frequently used in software projects today for the reduction of risks. The clearness of the goal of improvement measures is sharpened by the examination of the project steps in connection with the success factors of the organization. The results of a post‐mortem analysis deliver detailed information on where improvement measurements are necessary in the project future. Growth in project management know‐how is created through the discussion of the participants of all hierarchy levels. Therefore, the post‐mortem analysis is also applicable for use in the construction project. The procedure is introduced in the work at hand. First Published Online: 14 Oct 2010

Risk management is used more and more in building industry projects. An essential element of the risk management process is the analysis and evaluation of risks. Therefore, project assessment with the help of the post‐mortem analysis plays an important role. The post‐mortem analysis is a tool frequently used in software projects today for the reduction of risks. The clearness of the goal of improvement measures is sharpened by the examination of the project steps in connection with the success factors of the organization. The results of a post‐mortem analysis deliver detailed information on where improvement measurements are necessary in the project future. Growth in project management know‐how is created through the discussion of the participants of all hierarchy levels. Therefore, the post‐mortem analysis is also applicable for use in the construction project. The procedure is introduced in the work at hand.

Public administrations are banking on electronic media to improve their processes, particularly in the field of construction due to the potential savings that are expected. With the project e-system for the award of public contracts the federal government is pursuing the aim of handling public procurement entirely over the internet. The legal requirements have been created in the form of the Digital Signature Act [Signaturgesetz] and the corresponding changes in the Regulations on Provisions for the Award of Public Contracts and the Official Contracting Terms for the Award of Contracts. The focus is on making legally binding declarations on intent. This is made possible by the advanced electronic signature with a qualified certificate. In technical terms the concept is realised through the use of a public key concept. In Germany, the electronic system for the award of public contracts has been implemented in the context of three pilot projects which are explained in the study.

By adopting risk management, savings potentials can be realized in construction projects. For this reason, for project managers as well as real estate developers, a consideration of the risk management process is worthwhile. The risk management process comprises 6 process steps, which will be discussed in greater detail below. The integration of a risk management system in construction projects must be oriented to the progress of the project and permeate all areas, functions and processes of the project. In this, particular importance is attached to the risks in the personnel area, for, particularly for enterprises providing highly qualified services, specialized employees are essential for market success. Firstd Published Online: 14 Oct 2010

By adopting risk management, savings potentials can be realized in construction projects. For this reason, for project managers as well as real estate developers, a consideration of the risk management process is worthwhile. The risk management process comprises 6 process steps, which will be discussed in greater detail below. The integration of a risk management system in construction projects must be oriented to the progress of the project and permeate all areas, functions and processes of the project. In this, particular importance is attached to the risks in the personnel area, for, particularly for enterprises providing highly qualified services, specialized employees are essential for market success.

Strategic planning is crucial for the survival of a company, wide‐ranging decisions about future action must be taken. The information basis for such decisions is often gained from forecasts about the future with more or less accurate probability of the assumed event occurring. Electronic markets have been the subject matter of numerous investigations in recent years and if organized correctly show a high degree of accuracy in forecasting future events relevant to the business of a company. In major enterprises prediction markets have already been used successfully as a new kind of prognostic instrument. It is also suitable, however, for small and medium‐sized enterprises for the gathering and assessment of the information available to the employees. When developing prognostic markets it is necessary to take into consideration psychological factors, which could favour incorrect results. First Published Online: 14 Oct 2010

Strategic planning is crucial for the survival of a company, wide‐ranging decisions about future action must be taken. The information basis for such decisions is often gained from forecasts about the future with more or less accurate probability of the assumed event occurring. Electronic markets have been the subject matter of numerous investigations in recent years and if organized correctly show a high degree of accuracy in forecasting future events relevant to the business of a company. In major enterprises prediction markets have already been used successfully as a new kind of prognostic instrument. It is also suitable, however, for small and medium‐sized enterprises for the gathering and assessment of the information available to the employees. When developing prognostic markets it is necessary to take into consideration psychological factors, which could favour incorrect results.

Savings potentials can be realised in construction projects by application of risk management. The most difficult task, essential for the success of risk management, is risk analysis together with evaluation of risks, the quality of which is the basis for best risk control by the management. The objective of risk evaluation is to forecast the probability of occur-rence and the relevance of the identified risks. The probability of occurrence can be determined through statistical evalua-tion, empirical data records, benchmarks or expert estimates. Risk analysis and evaluation lead to a basis for deciding upon actions for mitigation or elimination of risks.